Background: Herpes zoster (shingles) is an acute inflammatory skin disease caused by the reactivation of the Varicel la-zoster virus. International studies show that the disease severely reduces patients’ quality of life, and chronic pain negatively affects daily activities. In clinical practice, bloodletting pricking therapy has been effectively used for herpes zoster, with positive effects including reducing disease symptoms, alleviating skin inflammation, and promoting skin regeneration. Due to the limited research on treating herpes zoster with combined bloodletting pricking therapy and acupuncture, this clinical study was conducted. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of combining bloodletting pricking therapy with acupuncture in patients diagnosed with herpes zoster. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using a non-randomized clinical trial design based at the Internation al School of Mongolian Medicine of MNUMS and the Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Medicine Committee (IMIMC). The study included 70 patients diagnosed with herpes zoster (ICD 10-B02.9) who met the inclusion criteria. The treatment group received bloodletting pricking therapy combined with acupuncture. The control group received Acyclovir 800 mg 5 times daily for 7-10 days and Pregabalin 75 mg twice daily for 14 days. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated using the VAS linear scale for pain assessment, the SF-12 (Short Form-12 health survey) questionnaire for quality of life, and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) to measure sleep quality and evaluate insomnia. The treatment outcome was assessed according to the Mongolian Traditional Medicine Diagnostic and Treatment Standards. Results: The average age of participants was 47.29±11.11 in the treatment group and 44.43±11.63 in the control group, with 34% male and 66% female participants. According to the VAS linear scale, the treatment group showed a statistically significant greater reduction in pain (P<0.001). The quality-of-life assessment using the SF-12 questionnaire showed that the Physical Component Summary (SF-12-PCS) in the treatment group increased from 32.71±7.38 before treatment to 52.99±2.02 after treatment (t=-17.18, p<0.001), while in the control group, it increased from 36.10±7.41 to 51.56±7.9 (SF-12-3.9) (p<0.001). According to the AIS questionnaire, the sleep quality in the treatment group was significantly better than in the control group (P<0.05). According to the Mongolian Traditional Medicine Diagnostic and Treatment Standards, the combined treatment of pricking therapy and acupuncture resulted in a 100% recovery rate. Conclusion 1. The combination of bloodletting pricking therapy and acupuncture in treating herpes zoster effectively reduces pain. 2. For patients diagnosed with herpes zoster, combining bloodletting pricking therapy with acupuncture effectively improves quality of life in terms of sleep quality as well as physical and mental functioning.

This paper investigated the inhibitory effect of carbonized Scutellariae Radix(Cb-SR) on pyroptosis in endometrial epithelial cells of mice with endometritis and its correlation with the IKBKE/NLRP3 signaling axis. Mice model of endometritis was established by using an intrauterine injection of 10 μL polysaccharides(LPS, 5 mg·mL~(-1)), and the mice were randomly divided into model group(LPS), low-dose group of Cb-SR(L-Cb-SR, 0.55 g·kg~(-1)), medium-dose group of Cb-SR(M-Cb-SR, 1.10 g·kg~(-1)), high-dose group of Cb-SR(H-Cb-SR, 2.20 g·kg~(-1)), crude Scutellariae Radix group(Cr-SR, 1.63 g·kg~(-1)), and Fuke Qianjin Capsule group(FQC, 0.30 g·kg~(-1)), with 10 mice in each group. Ten healthy female mice were selected and injected with PBS of equal volume into the bilateral uterus, and they were set as the sham group. The mice in the drug treatment groups were given the corresponding doses of Cb-SR, Cr-SR, FQC, or physiological saline of equal volume by gavage twice a day for seven days. Thirty minutes after the last administration, each mouse was euthanized by cervical dislocation. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy were applied to observe the histopathological morphology of the uterine tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of CD38 and CD138. Myeloperoxidase(MPO) values in neutrophils were measured by the kit; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the secretion of interleukin-18(IL-18), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to analyze the expression of the proteins related to the IKBKE/NLRP3 signaling axis. Mouse endometrial epithelial cells(MEECs) were separated and purified from the uterine tissue of pregnant female mice through in vitro experiments and injured by LPS for 24 h, and then they were cultured with Cb-SR-containing serum. The anti-endometritis effect of Cb-SR was investigated by CCK-8 assay, scanning electron microscopy, and Western blot. The results showed that Cb-SR significantly reduced MPO values, attenuated uterine tissue damage, inhibited the expression of CD38 and CD138, decreased the levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α, and inhibited the expression of proteins associated with IKBKE/NLRP3 signaling axis in mice with endometritis. In addition, Cb-SR-containing serum reduced swelling of MEECs organelles induced by LPS, decreased the expression of inflammatory factors, and suppressed the expression of IKBKE/NLRP3 signaling axis-related proteins. These results suggest that Cb-SR can inhibit endometrial epithelial cell pyroptosis in endometritis by suppressing the IKBKE/NLRP3 signaling axis.
Animals ; Female ; Mice ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Endometritis/chemically induced* ; Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects* ; Scutellaria baicalensis/chemistry* ; Humans ; Epithelial Cells/drug effects*

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) decoction pieces are a core carrier for the inheritance and innovation of TCM, and their quality and safety are critical to public health and the sustainable development of the industry. Conventional quality control models, while having established a well-developed system through long-term practice, still face challenges such as relatively long inspection cycles, insufficient objectivity in characterizing complex traits, and urgent needs for improving the efficiency of integrating multidimensional quality information when confronted with the dual demands of large-scale production and precision quality control. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, machine learning can deeply analyze multidimensional data of the morphology, spectroscopy, and chemical fingerprints of decoction pieces by constructing high-dimensional feature space analysis models, significantly improving the standardization level and decision-making efficiency of quality evaluation. This article reviews the research progress in the application of machine learning in the processing, production, and rapid quality evaluation of TCM decoction pieces. It further analyzes current challenges in technological implementation and proposes potential solutions, offering theoretical and technical references to advance the digital and intelligent transformation of the industry.
Machine Learning ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards* ; Quality Control ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effectiveness of the bridge combined fixation system (BCFS) for Bado typeⅠchronic Monteggia fractures (CMF) in children. METHODS: A clinical data of 8 children with Bado type ⅠCMF, who were treated with the BCFS between November 2023 and February 2025, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 6 boys and 2 girls, with a mean age of 7.0 years (range, 4-12 years). The time from injury to operation ranged from 29 to 370 days (median, 68.5 days). Preoperative elbow range of motion was (111.3±17.9)° in flexion, (13.1±13.9)° in extension, (71.9±14.6)° in pronation, and (75.6±13.5)° in supination. Fracture healing time and postoperative complications were observed, and clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Mayo elbow performance score. RESULTS: All incisions healed by primary intention without infection, non-healing of the incision, or iatrogenic nerve injury. All children were followed up 4-18 months (mean, 10.3 months). At last follow-up, the elbow range of motion significantly improved to (142.5±2.7)° in flexion, (2.5±2.7)° in extension, (87.5±2.7)° in pronation, and (88.8±2.3)° in supination ( P<0.05). According to the postoperative Mayo elbow performance score, all cases were rated as excellent. Radiographic review showed no radial head dislocation, nonunion at the ulnar osteotomy site, or elbow stiffness, and no breakage of the BCFS or screw loosening. The fracture healing time ranged from 3 to 6 months, with a median of 4 months. CONCLUSION The BCFS was confirmed to be effective in the treatment of pediatric Bado type Ⅰ CMF, with good restoration of elbow function and the advantage of avoiding secondary implant removal surgery.
Humans ; Child ; Monteggia's Fracture/surgery* ; Male ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Elbow Joint/physiopathology* ; Bone Plates ; Treatment Outcome ; Fracture Healing ; Bone Screws ; Elbow Injuries

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect and adverse reactions of dapoxetine hydrochloride versus paroxetine in the treatment of primary premature ejaculation by cross-comparison. METHODS: Based on the clinic-visit time, we equally randomized 148 patients with primary premature ejaculation into groups A and B for a cross-comparison test, the former treated with paroxetine at 20 mg once nightly and the latter with dapoxetine hydrochloride at 30 mg on demand, both for 6 successive weeks, during which we observed the therapeutic effects and adverse reactions. Following 4 weeks of drug discontinuance, we administered dapoxetine hydrochloride at 30 mg on demand for group A and paroxetine at 20 mg once nightly for group B, both for another 6 successive weeks, followed by observation and comparison of the therapeutic effects and adverse reactions. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the initial characteristics of the two groups of patients (P > 0.05). Compared with the baseline, the mean intra-vaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) was dramatically improved after treatment in both groups A (4.43 min) and B (7.12 min), increased by 3.99% and 6.72%, respectively (P<0.001). The patients treated with paroxetine showed significantly longer IELT than those taking dapoxetine hydrochloride in both groups (P<0.001). Findings of the Premature Ejaculation Profile (PEP) and spouses' conditions indicated significant improvement after treatment in the average scores of the four indicators of PEP, that is, perceived control over ejaculation, ejaculation-related personal distress, satisfaction with sexual intercourse and ejaculation-related interpersonal difficulty, as well as in the overall experience and partner's satisfaction and orgasm frequency. Adverse reactions to medication were found in 20.8% of the cases in group A and 9.7% in group B, but none was serious. Preference survey following drug withdrawal revealed a preference for paroxetine (61.9%) over dapoxetine (26.8%), and that only a few of the patients thought of the two drugs as comparable or both ineffective. CONCLUSION In term of overall effectiveness, paroxetine was superior to dapoxetine in the treatment of primary premature ejaculation. And the patients obviously preferred the former to the latter, which might be partly attributed to the higher price of dapoxetine.
Humans ; Benzylamines/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Premature Ejaculation/drug therapy* ; Naphthalenes/therapeutic use* ; Paroxetine/therapeutic use* ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression regulation of lipid metabolism gene ABHD5 in testes. METHODS: Differential gene analysis was performed by integrating databases of TCGA and GTEx to identify the target gene ABHD5. The expression trends of ABHD5 gene in testicular carcinoma tissue were analyzed. Human testis single-cell atlases were obtained from the Human Protein Atlas and Male Health Atlas databases to determine the expression distribution of ABHD5 across different testicular cell types. Additionally, the GTEx database was utilized to visualize the expression pattern of ABHD5 in the testis, thereby enhancing the understanding of its transcriptional profile. The relationship between ABHD5 expression and age was assessed through integrated database analysis. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were performed to detect differential expressions of ABHD5 in testicular tissues of young and aged mice respectively. RESULTS: The TCGA database indicated that the expression of ABHD5 in human testicular carcinoma tissue was significantly lower than that in normal testicular tissue which showed a negative correlation with patient survival. ABHD5 was highly expressed in germ cells of the testis reveaked from Human Protein Atlas and Male Health Atlas databases. The stability of ABHD5 protein was crucial for testicular tissue, and its expression decreased with age. Furthermore, Western blot and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that ABHD5 expression in the testicular tissue of aged mice was significantly lower than that in young mice. CONCLUSION ABHD5 plays an important role in testicular tissue, and may be inseparable from testicular tumors and reproductive aging. However, its mechanism of action remains to be further studied.
Male ; Animals ; Mice ; Testis/metabolism* ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism/genetics* ; 1-Acylglycerol-3-Phosphate O-Acyltransferase/metabolism* ; Testicular Neoplasms/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of altitude on NIH-CPSI score in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome(CP/CPPS) Methods: Clinical data and the results of NIH-CPSI Questionnaire of the 321 patients with CP/CPPS at different altitudes were collected from March 2021 to March 2022. And the influence of altitudes on NIH-CPSI score of CP/CPPS was analyzed. RESULT: The NIH-CPSI score of patients living at an altitude of 4 300 m was significantly higher than that of patients living at an altitude of 1 500 m and 2 200 m. The CP/CPPS patients who lived in the higher altitude had more severe symptoms of pain and urination as well as lower scores of life quality (P<0.05). CONCLUSION NIH-CPSI score increased significantly with higher altitude, indicating more severe symptoms and decreased quality of life in CP/CPPS patients. These findings highlight the need for management strategies for specific heights in patients with CP/CPPS.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatitis ; Altitude ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Pelvic Pain ; Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Middle Aged

As global greenhouse gases continue rising, the urgency of more ambitious action is clearer than ever before. China is the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and one of the countries affected most by climate change. The evidence about the impacts of climate change on the environment and human health may encourage China to take more decisive action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts. This article aimed to review the evidence of environmental damages and health risks posed by climate change and to provide a new science-based perspective for the delivery of sustainable development goals. Over recent decades, China has experienced a strong warming pattern with a growing frequency of extreme weather events, and the impacts of climate change on China's environment and human health have been consistently observed, with increasing O ₃ air pollution, decreases in water resources and availability, land degradation, and increased risks for both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Therefore, China's climate policy should target the key factors driving climate change and scale up strategic measures to curb carbon emissions and adapt to inevitable increasing climate impacts. It provides new insights for not only China but also other countries, particularly developing and emerging economies, to ensure climate and environmental sustainability whilst pursuing economic growth.
Climate Change ; China ; Humans ; Greenhouse Gases ; Air Pollution ; Sustainable Development ; Environment

Objective:To examine the application of a novel pedagogical approach multidimensional supportive psychological intervention(MSPI)in the clinical practice teaching of andrological nursing care.Methods:Using the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),we assessed the psychology of 100 nursing interns about to enter clinical practice in the Department of Andrology from De-cember 2021 to December 2022.We equally randomized the subjects into an experimental and a control group,the former receiving MSPI and the latter trained on the conventional teaching model without any psychological support intervention.Results:Compared with the baseline,the HAMD scores were significantly decreased in the experimental group after intervention(12.4±2.1 vs 8.9±2.4,P＜0.01),but increased in the controls(13.1±1.8 vs 14.7±1.9,P＜0.01);the skill scores dramatically increased in the experimental group(82.6±4.7 vs 91.2±2.4,P＜0.01),but decreased in the control group after intervention(81.0±3.5 vs 80.4±2.7,P=0.28).Conclusion:MSPI can significantly enhance the learning enthusiasm of nursing students in a short period,re-duce their psychological stress and improve teaching outcomes.This approach,combining psychology with teaching,can also strength-en the mental resilience of nursing students and better confront them with future professional challenges.

Objective To construct a three-dimensional statistical shape model of the pelvis and analyze the individual variation and gender differences of the three-dimensional shape of the pelvis.Methods We collected CT data from 201 Chinese individuals and used deep learning to automatically reconstruct three-dimensional models of the pelvis.Through three-dimensional model registration,dense correspondence mesh mapping,and the use of statistical shape modelling(SSM)and principal component(PC)analysis method,we extracted models of variations(MoV)of pelvic shape changes and statistically compared the shape MoV between males and females.Results We analysed the top 10 principal components of shape variations,which accounted for 86.1％of the total variability.Among them,PC01,PC02,and PC04 showed significant differences between genders(P＜0.001),accounting for a total variability of 60.1％.PC08 and PC 10 demonstrated pelvic asymmetry,accounting for a total variability of 3.8％.Conclusion We constructed a three-dimensional statistical shape model of the pelvis in Chinese individuals,revealing the morphological variation and sex differences of Chinese pelvis.